NCJ Number
31884
Date Published
1976
Length
16 pages
Annotation
OVERVIEW OF THE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, AND POLITICAL ORIGINS OF LATIN AMERICAN TERRORISM, THE PHILOSOPHY AND METHODS OF TERRORIST GROUPS, AND CASE STUDIES OF THE TUPAMAROS OF URAGUAY AND THE 'ROBIN HOOD' TERRORISM IN ARGENTINA.
Abstract
LATIN AMERICAN PEASANTS ARE MOVING FROM THE COUNTRY TO THE CITIES AT A RATE OF ABOUT 8 PERCENT PER YEAR. IN THEIR IMPOVERISHED STATE, THESE LARGE TRANSIENT MASSES HAVE A GREAT POTENTIAL FOR UNSTABLE SOCIAL AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS. THE CUBAN REVOLUTION AND THE FIRM ESTABLISHMENT OF FIDEL CASTRO PROVIDED A POLITICAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL BASE IN LATIN AMERICA FOR THE SPREAD OF A DOCTRINE THAT COULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS. THE AUTHOR ASSERTS THAT AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN LATIN AMERICAN TERRORISM IS THE FACT THAT LATIN AMERICAN CULTURE NATURALLY LENDS ITSELF TO THE SPECTACULAR AND THE DARING. HIS OWN RESEARCH ON THE CULTURAL TRADITIONS OF LATIN AMERICA, PARTICULARLY BRAZIL, INDICATES A PENCHANT FOR FOLK HEROES OF ACTION, SUCH AS FIDEL CASTRO IN CUBA AND PELE IN BRAZIL. CULTURE HAS LINKED THIS IDENTIFICATION TO LATIN AMERICAN MACHISMO. IN LATIN AMERICA GUERRILLA GROUPS HAVE LARGELY SHUNNED THE TRADITIONAL POLITICAL PROCESS FOR CHANGE, PREFERRING ARMED REVOLUTION. AT THE MOMENT FEW OF THEM SEEM INTERESTED IN OBTAINING POWER, WERE THEY EVER TO ARRIVE AT THAT POINT. LACKING A COMPREHENSIVE POLITICAL PROGRAM, THEY DESIRE MORE TO PRESSURE EXISTING SYSTEMS INTO FAR-REACHING SOCIALISM THAN TO BE PLACED IN THE POSITION OF RESPONSIBILITY THEMSELVES. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)